We got the gift.
Through this season of Advent we have been covering what I thought were "God's Favorite Things".
It's a simple list. Self-explanatory and yet profound.
It has caused us to stop and think about the simple things and wonder if we've missed something.
And, the last thing on the list should be even more simplistic.
Yet, the word is huge on the landscape of our religion. It is
THE Word. HE is THE
WORD.
But, he is more than a word. If our look at these words through Advent have shown us anything, it that they go to the very center of our existence and being. And, if we know anything about Christ, we know that he wants to be at our very center of our being. Our heart.
The heart is the ruling center of the human. We make our decisions here. We feel our emotions here.
What God wants to know is if we are willing to turn it all over to him; let him rule our hearts.
This was the purpose for him coming, as our scripture will elude to...
Micah 5:2
New International Version (NIV)
2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times.”
Christ embodies God's favorite things. How exactly, you ask?
I wonder if it might help us to look at some more words in order to understand more about who Christ is...
3
: an ideal type of humanity
Humanity is not a word I was expecting to see here.
But, lest we forget who we are dealing with....fully God, fully man.
An ideal kind of humanity. To spell it out, this is the best humanity has to offer.
The ideal car. The best of it's kind, made with the essential parts that make it top notch.
The ideal neighborhood. A place where everybody knows your name and all folks get along.
The ideal church. A group of people that really live what they believe. It's reputation speaks for itself.
It's also the best we have to hope for. There we go, back into our Advent theme.
CHRIST is our HOPE. Why do we hope in Christ?
1 Peter 3:15
New International Version (NIV)
15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
We put Christ first in our lives and all things seem to fall into place.
Especially the words we need when the time comes to share the message of who he is.
Gentleness and respect come from an area that we often live without.
If we are to stay calm we need what only Christ can truly bring to us.
CHRIST is our PEACE.
Colossians 3:15
New International Version (NIV)
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
There's that 'ruling' thing again. Christ came to rule. Our Leader. Our Administrator.
Not what we would normally think when 'ruling' comes to mind.
We are used to being bossed around in this world. The world with it's demands brings us down.
"My peace I give to you. My peace I give unto you." He rules by assuring us that all with be ok.
He knows what he's doing. If we cannot handle what's ahead, we can face it with his peace.
I recall seeing Forest Gump on TV for the upteenth time recently. I tuned in just in time to see the moment when Lieutenant Dan (Gary Sinese) is helping Forest run his shrimp boat business, a promise that Forest is keeping to his late friend Bubba. If you have never seen the film, Dan lost both of his legs in a battle in Vietnam. Planning to go down gloriously in battle like many of his forefathers had done, Dan's life is spared (through the aid of Forest). Dan lives with this unrest that life did not go exactly as it should have. He should have died; that was the plan. He is mad for most of the movie. It's not until a massive hurricane hits the gulf coast while Forest and Dan are on their boat that Dan is finally in a place where he can find his peace. Shouting and screaming at the top of his lungs through the storm, when it is over, he thanks Forest for saving his life. And, then jump into the ocean waters for a swim. Dan took a turn that finally put a smile on his face. Someone might even say he was joyful after that.
And, there's our next point.
CHRIST is our JOY.
Take in this chunk of scripture as your heavenly meal this Christmas.
Romans 5
New Living Translation (NLT)
Faith Brings Joy
5 Therefore,
since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace
with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because
of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved
privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look
forward to sharing God’s glory.
3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And
this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God
loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts
with his love.
6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now,
most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though
someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially
good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. 10 For
since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son
while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the
life of his Son. 11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.
Why did this baby come? Born in a manger. Swaddled in so much mystery.
Only a few people even bothered to come and see him.
The few who did could not have left the same as when they arrived.
Who could look into the face of any newborn child and not get the tiniest smile?
This child had all the promises of God upon him. And, even at the earliest of ages, he was changing lives. He was angering some and filling others with joy. Funny how a tiny new person in the world can move people to do the strangest things. Three wise men come from regions unknown, a cross country trek. Why come all that way? Just to deliver three gifts and then retreat home? Then there is the king of the country, who would send his army in to kill every newborn two years old and under just to make sure that no one threatened his rule.
Disappointment, fear, regret. OR
Hope, peace, joy. The choice is ours. Christ came for this purpose.
To take away our for mentioned items and replace them with items that work.
Have you seen that insurance company commercial? Brand New Belongings.
If you items are stolen or lost, they replace them. How about we lose the fear, the regret?
How about we replace them with hope and peace and joy?
Sounds like a winner. Friendship with God is a winner.
5 And
this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God
loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts
with his love.
And, there's our final word...
CHRIST is our LOVE.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15
New International Version (NIV)
14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
No movie has moved more people to do something they would not normally do than the now classic Pay It Forward. In 2000, Catherine Ryan Hyde's novel was published and adapted into a
film. In Hyde's book and movie 'paying it forward' is described as an obligation to do
three good deeds for others in response to a good deed that one
receives. Such good deeds should accomplish things that the other person
cannot accomplish on their own. In this way, the practice of helping
one another can spread geometrically through society, at a ratio of three to one, creating a social movement with an impact of making the world a better place. Sounds like love to me.
Only love could move someone to give up what they have and help someone else.
It is actually the staple of our very belief system as Christians.
John 3:16
New International Version (NIV)
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Tonight, we are going to approach a cup and some bread.
Items that we symbolically use to remember what Christ has done for us.
We remember in this season that God gave everything. He allowed his Son to be born in the most fragile of all situations. A baby. He gave us everything. A gift.
As we partake tonight, maybe we could remember the greatest gift.
God's favorite things are gifts. Take and eat. And, remember....
God's favorite things are meant for you.
